Don Francks and I hit the AGO for the David Bowie exhibit. Incredible!

This week included another great concert in Kleinburg at the McMichael Gallery, this time by the Hwa Um Trio. Their set featured all kinds of classical music and was a big hit with the crowd. There is an exhibit on now called Karine Giboulo’s Small Strange World. It’s amazing and you can expect to spend at least an hour with your jaw on the ground. This Thursday Don Francks sings with The Tony Quarrington Trio. I’ll do a tune with Don as well! Tix and info at http://www.mcmichael.com

Alex Pangman digs Don’s chopper!

Don dropped by my loft earlier this week. We discussed the need for a “sandbox”…a venue we can try sutff out in…stay tuned…the hunt is on! Alex Pangman came by as well and we spent a couple hours checking out 80’s videos, mostly stuff by Ian Dury and The Blockheads.

RIP MILES JACKSON

Chris and I loved Miles…a truly positive guy who died way too young!

This week I attended a funeral for a good friend, Miles (Milo) Jackson. I met Miles when I first moved to Toronto and we share many mutual friends. My favourite memories are all at Casa Mendoza were he worked as a bar tender – outrageous parties! He died of heart failure and it came as a complete shock. Whenever I see my old pals, Jamie, Pat, Jono and Chris I know we’ll be sharing stories about Miles for years to come. I like to celebrate my friends whether they are walking around on the planet or not!

Zoe and I wear white after Labour Day!

I enjoyed ten concerts over the weekend, hosting two Jazz Safaris.

Melissa

Friday Melissa Bourne joined me for a remarkable set of tunes from Amy McConnell, Christopher Plock and their stellar band. Saturday my date was Vivianna and one of the highlights was dancing to Shannon Butcher and her swing band at Dovercourt House.

I won’t tell you what this Rick Miller goes through in Venus In Fur. Go see it for yourself!

I also went to see a brilliant play called “Venus In Fur” over at Bluma Appel Theatre. The Canstage Production will keep you talking about it for hours after it ends. A perfect script and gifted actors make this an hour and a half well-spent. Get tix while you can (just one more week) at http://www.canadianstage.com

Julianna and I always have outrageous fun when we paint the town…even a Sunday theatre matinee!

And finally on Sunday I had dinner with Ross Porter and his lovely wife Denise…and Ian Shaw who flew in from London England to do a show for us at The Old Mill. After that he bee-lines to New York to star in a production of Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels.

Dave and the gang – good times!

Coming up: Dave Clark and his Woodshed Orchestra play Hugh’s Room on Saturday the 26th. I’ll be away but I recommend the show. They play all kinds of music and are celebrating a CD release. Tickets at http://www.hughsroom.com

Alex Pangman sings and everybody swings!

And finally, tix just went on sale for HOLIDAY SWING TIME, a show at Palais Royale featuring Alex Pangman, Terra Hazelton, Roger Clown, Drew Jurecka and more. Tix are just $40 each, or a table of ten for $500. (While there are tables and chairs scattered these are the only reserved seats.) Tix and info: CLICK HERE